Smooth Flower Coral
CR

Smooth Flower Coral

Eusmilia fastigiata

Declining

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eusmilia

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Eusmilia fastigiata faces severe population declines primarily due to coral bleaching events caused by rising sea temperatures, which have devastated Caribbean reef systems over the past three decades. The species is particularly vulnerable to white plague disease and other coral pathogens that spread rapidly through stressed coral communities. Ocean acidification further compromises the coral's ability to build and maintain its calcium carbonate skeleton, while coastal development and sedimentation reduce water quality in critical shallow reef habitats.

Threat summary

Habitat

Eusmilia fastigiata inhabits shallow coral reef environments in the Caribbean, typically found at depths of 1-20 meters on reef slopes, patch reefs, and back-reef areas. This hard coral species prefers clear, warm waters with moderate to strong currents that provide adequate water flow for feeding and waste removal.

Marine coastal/supratidal· majorWetlands (inland) - Permanent freshwater lakes· majorMarine neritic· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionHabitat & natural process restorationSpecies recoveryLegislation

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Smooth Flower Coral classified as Critically Endangered?
Smooth Flower Coral is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Eusmilia fastigiata faces severe population declines primarily due to coral bleaching events caused by rising sea temperatures, which have devastated Caribbean reef systems over the past three decades. The species is particularly vulnerable to white plague disease and other coral pathogens that spread rapidly through stressed coral communities. Ocean acidification further compromises the coral's ability to build and maintain its calcium carbonate skeleton, while coastal development and sedimentation reduce water quality in critical shallow reef habitats.
Where does Smooth Flower Coral live?
Smooth Flower Coral occurs in Bahamas, Bermuda, Mexico, and Trinidad & Tobago. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Smooth Flower Coral?
The main threats to Smooth Flower Coral are 11.1, 2.1, 5.4, and 6.1. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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